Electrode holder



-, J. R. HALL.

ELECTRODE HOLDER.

- APPLICATION H'LED MAR. 6. I918.

1,318,992. Patent'ed Oct. 14,1919,

2 SHEETSSHEE T I 20 is especially UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFIQE. v

JULI' US R. HALL, OF (lAK PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO BOOTH-HALL COMPANY, F

v CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

nrncrnonn-nonnnn Specification of Letters Patent. Pattentqdoct. 14, 1919.

Applicaticn filed March 6, 1918. Serial 110.220,?02.

electric furnaces.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an electrode-holder for furnaces which will securely grip and support the electrode, which will provide good electrical contact between the electrode and the grippers, and which will aiford a staunch and reliable construction with proper provision for a reliable electric circuit.

While not limited thereto, the invention desirable in electrode-holders of that type in which the electrode is adjustable from the side of the furnace.

It may be stated here that an objection to the of side holders as heretofore constructed has been that difliculty has been experienced in securing good electrical contact between the holder and the electrode, owing to the, unevenness or lack of true -s'ymmetry of the electrode. Good contact between the electrode and theelectrode? 4 grippers is desirable, not only to prevent mechanical injury to the electrode, but also to prevent undue heating, which may be caused by imperfect contacts. Electrodes 85 are generally designed to be round in crosssection, smooth of surface, and straight throughout their length. Practically, however, they are not truly symmetrical, their surfaces are apt to be uneven, and they are 40 sometimes warped and irregular in crosssection. Efiiciency requires good contact between the electrode and the holder, even if the holder be water-cooled; and it is desirable to provide for water-cooling of the electrode-grippers, even where the construction is such as to provide for proper contact between the grippers and the electrode. Again, excessive heat from the electrode may cause a water-cooled holder to crack or break, and this is a further reason for providing for perfect contact, even where the electrode-grippers are water-cooled.

R. im, a

tate of relationto the gripper B.

The desired objects are attained by the invention illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. In this construction, there are. 1'55 preferably employed a pair of relatively" movable gripper-supports, on which; are mounted grippers, some, at least, of which are self-adjusting, that is, capable of adjusting themselves with relation to the electrode in the closing operation; and means are provided foreffecting relative movement between the gripper-supporting devices, such means being operable from the side of the furnace. J The invention is illustrated in the preferred embodiment in the .accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a plan sectional view taken as indicated bythe arrows on line 1 -1 of Fig 5; Fig. 2, a broken sectional view taken as indicated at line 2 of Fig. 4:; Fig. 3, a broken sectional view taken .as -in. dicated at line 3 of Fig. 4; Fig. i, a broken vertical sectional view takenas indicated at 7 line 4: of Fig. 1, this view showing-the horizontal arm of the electrode-support, and showing brokenly the electrode carried by the grippers mounted on said arm; Fig. 5, a broken equipped with the improved electrodeholder; Fig. 6, a broken vertical sectional; view taken as indicated at line 6 of Fig. 4; and Fig. 7 a broken horizontal sectional view taken as indicated at line 7 of Fig. 5.

In the embodiment illustrated, A repre sents the body of an electric furnace; B, the

. improved electrode-holder; and C, a vertical electrode supported by the holder 13.

The electrode-holder B, in the form illustrated, comprises 'a vertically adjustable standard B; a horizontal arm 13 extending from the upper end of the standard B and projecting over the top of the body A of the furnace; a pair of levers B pivotally mounted on the arm B self-adjusting electrode-grippers B pivotally supported on the inner ends of the levers a fixed electrode-grip er B. mounted on the inner extremity of t e arm B and co-acting with the self-adjusting grippers .B; and a device B serving to 'actuate or adjust the lever B and thereby shift the grippers B with elevational view of a furnace '80- The standard 13 is adjustable vertically in a fixed guide 13, which is firmly secured to the body of the furnace, and which is equipped with means (not shown), of any desired construction, for vertically adjusting the standard B. In Figs. 5 and 7, the standard B is shown provided with a horizontal shaft 1 equipped at its ends with wheels 2, which are confined between tracks afforded by angle-members 3, which .constitute portions of the guideB.

The horizontal arm B is rigidly'mounted on the upper end of the standard B. As shown in Fig. 4, it comprises, in the construction illustrated, a channel-member 4, to whose upper and lower flanges are secured copper bars, or conductors, 5, which extend about the elbow and downward, as indicated at 5, to form a part of the standard B.

The levers B are connected, by vertical pivots 6, with brackets 7, which project laterally from the rigid arm B near the inner extremity thereof.

The electrode-grippers B are in the form of ve'rticallydisposed segmental blocks havmg concave inner surfaces 8, which conform to the surface of the electrode, and which are cored or provided with water-chambers 9. The gripper-b1ocks B ar equipped centrally on their outer circumferential surfaces with pivot-lugs 10, which are connected, by vertical pivots 11, tothe inner extremities of the levers B The pivotal connections just described are sufliciently loose, or free, to permit self-adjustment of the gripper-blocks B throughout the vertical length of the blocks, as well as to permit swinging of the blocks on their pivots to enable the blocks to adjust themselves radially with relation to the electrode. Thus, the blocks B have, in practical effect, a universal connection with" the levers B and, nevertheless, are so mounted that when the inner ends of the levers B are swung away from the electrode, the blocks will remain properly mounted on the levers.

The electrode-gripper B is also in the form of a segmental block provided with water-cooled passages 9. The gripper-block B as'shown in Fig. 6, is equipped on its outer side with a shank, or'flanges, 12, which receive the inner end of the arm B the parts being securely riveted together.

Resilient copper bands, or bonds, 13, have their central portions embracing the outer surface of the block 13", and have their extremities embracing the blocks B. These bonds are located near the upper and lower ends of the gripper-blocks, and thus are above and below the pivot-lugs 10 of the blocks B. The bonds are secured to the blocks 13 by bolts 14, and are secured to the blocks B by 'bolts 15. The bolts 15 are in the vertical plane of the pivots 11. The flexibility of the bonds 13 is such as to per length thereof; and

mit the blocks B to adjust themselves to the electrodein the operation of clamping the electrode. The resiliency, or stiffness,

of the bonds 13 is, however, sufficient to add to 'the stability of the mounting of the blocks, that is, to supplement the pivotal supports at 10 and 11, and steady the blocks, when they are swung away from the electrode.

The water-chambers of the gripper-blocks are connected by flexible pipes, or tubes, 16,

thus placing the water-chambers of the nut 20 connected with the outer end of the other lever B and through which extends the threaded portion of the shaft, or rod, 18. The nut 20 extends loosely through a perforation in the lever with which it is con nected, and is held loosely in place by a small nut, or internally-threaded collar 20. The

nut 20 is prevented from turning by providing its flange with a groove, which engages the extremity of the horizontal flange of the lever 13, as indicated at 20*. One end of the shaft 18 is made angular, as shown at 20, and is adapted to receive a wrench, or actuating handle, 21, which may be provided with an insulating handleportion 21. The connections between the screw-rod 18 and the levers B are sulfi-.

ciently loose to permit the levers to swing on their pivots 6.

From the description given, it will be understood that the electrode C may be secured between the gripping-blocks by adjusting the levers B through the medium of the adjusting device 13. As the inner ends of the levers swing toward each other, the blocks B crowd the electrode against the stationary block B In this movement, the electrode is centered between the gripping blocks and is adjusted to the gripping-block B to make contact therewith throughout th at the same time-the blocks B automatically assume both a radial and longitudinal adjustment with relation to the electrode. Thus, the electrode is properly centered between the three gripping blocks, and the gripping blocks, by reason of the self-adjustment of the blocks B, assume a full-length contact with the electrode, without placing undue strain either upon the electrode or the gripping blocks.

The construction described is simple and thoroughly effective for its purpose.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitation should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as "permissible, in view of the prior art.

lVhat I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An electrode-holder of the type described, comprising a plurality of vertically pivoted gripping blocks.

2. An electrode-holder of the type described, comprising a plurality of vertically pivoted gripping blocks and means whereby said blocks may be adjusted into clamping engagement with an electrode from a point distant therefrom. i

3. An electrode-holder of the type described, comprising a plurality of vertically pivoted water-cooled gripping blocks.

4. An electrode-holder of the type described,- comprising aplurality of vertically pivoted gripping blocks, means wherebya cooling medium may be circulated therethrough, a plurality of electric conductors, means for securing .said conductors to said blocks and means for adjusting said blocks into clamping engagement with an electrode.

5. An electrode-holder of the type described, comprising a plurality of pivoted gripping blocks, cooling chambers in each of said blocks, flexible couplings connecting said chambers whereby a cooling medium may be circulated therethrough, electric conductors held in contact with said blocks and means for adjusting said blocks into clamping engagement with an electrode.-

6; An electrode-holder of the type described, comprising a plurality of gripping blocks disposed above the furnace and means at the side of the furnace-for operating said -blocks to effect a clamping of the same about an electrode. I

7. In an electrode-holder of the type described, mean positioned above the furnace for grippingan' electrode, and means at the side of said furnace for operating said gripping means.

8. An electrode-holder for electric furnaces, comprising a plurality of water-jacketed current conducting members arranged to contact directlyawith the electrode and a single means for causing all of said members to grip said electrode simultaneously.

9. An electrode-holder for electric furnaces, comprising a plurality of electrode gripping members means for adjustably mounting said members whereby they may move irr'any direction to adapt them to irregularities in the surfaceof said electrode, and flexible conductors connected to said gripping members whereby the latter may conduct current to "said electrode in any position of adjustment.

10. An electrode-holder comprising'a plurality of electrode contact members, and means for causing said members to simultaneously grip the electrode, said means serving also to withdraw one of said members to insure relaxation of said grip;

11. An electrode-holder comprising a plurality of electrode contact members and means for positively moving certain of said members toward and away from the electrod to cause said members to grip and release said elect-rode. Y

12. An electrode, holder for electric furnaces comprising aplurality of water jacketed current conducting members arranged to. contact directly with the electrode and means for positively withdrawing said members from said electrode to release the same. a

13. An electrode-holder comprising a pair of relatively movablesupportingdevices and co-acting electrode-gripper mounted on said supporting devices, some of said grippers being self-adjusting during the operation of closing the grippers upon the electrode.

14. An electrode-holder comprising a pair of relative-movable supporting devices and coacting electrode-grippers mounted on said supportlng devices. some of said grippers being loosely mounted 011.3'01t16ul pivots to enable the grippers to adjust themselves both radially and with relation to longitudinal lines of the electrode.

15. An electrode-holder comprising a pair of relatively-movable supporting devices, means for adjusting said supporting devices, with relation to each other, and co-acting electrode-grippers mounted on said supporting devices, some of said grippers being selfadjusting during the operation of closing the grippers upon the electrode.

16. An electrode-holder comprising a stationary arm equipped at its extremity with an electrode gripper, gripper supporting levers and opposed to said first-named electrode-gripper,

19. An electrode-holder comprising a stationary arm, means for supporting said arm in position above the body of the furnace, a pair of levers pivot-ally supported on said arm, means operable from the side of the furnace for adjusting said levers, and grip-- of electrode-grippers mounted on vertical pivots, and a resilient electrode-grippers.

22. An electrode-holder comprising a fixed elect'ro'de gripper, electrode grippers mounted on intermediately disposed pivots, and flexible resilient bonds having their intermediate portions secured to the fixed gripper and having their end-portions secured to the pivotally-mounted grippers, said bonds being located one above and, the other. below the pivotal connections.

bond connecting-said 23. An electrode-holder comprising a vertically 'adjustable standard equipped with an arm ex tending at an angle thereto, an electrode-gripper mounted on said arm, grippersuppontingmeans movably associated with said arm, and self adjusting grippers mounted on said gripper-supporting means.

24, An electrode-holder comprising a pair of relatively movable supporting devices, co acting electrode-grippers mounted on said supporting devices, including grippers which are self-adjusting during the operation of closing the grippers upon the electrode, and means for circulating water through said grippers, regardless of the position of adjustment.

25. An electrode-holder comprising a horizontal arni equipped With an electrode-gripper, a pair of levers pivotally supported on said arm and equipped With self-adjusting eleotrodegrippers, a screw-rod extending freely through said horizontal arm and having connections with said levers, whereby said levers may be actuated on their pivots, and means for acuating sald screw-rod.

JULIUS R. HALL. 

